Friday, July 22, 2016

Kachabeswarar Temple, Thirukachur – Legends

Kachabeswarar Temple, Thirukachur – Legends

Kachabeswarar:

Indra, the King of Svarga, while riding on the elephant Airavata, came across Sage Durvasa who offered him a special garland given to him by a nymph. Indra accepted the gift and placed it on the trunk of the elephant as a test to prove that he was not an egoistic deva. The flowers on it had a scent that attracted some bees. Annoyed by the bees, Airavata threw the garland on the ground. This enraged the sage as the garland was a dwelling of Lakshmi (fortune) and was to be treated as a prasada or religious offering.

Durvasa cursed Indra and all devas to be bereft of all strength, energy, and fortune. In battles following the incident, the Devas were defeated and the Asuras, led by Bali, gained control over the universe. The Devas sought Lord Vishnu's help, who advised them to treat the Asuras in a diplomatic manner. The Devas formed an alliance with the Asuras to jointly churn the ocean for the nectar of immortality and to share it among themselves.

However, Vishnu told the devas that he would arrange for them alone to obtain the nectar. During the churning of the Ocean of Milk (Samudra Manthana), Mount Mandara was used as the churning rod, and Vasuki, a Nagaraja who abides on Lord Shiva's neck, became the churning rope. When the mountain was placed in the ocean, it began to sink. Vishnu, in the form of Kachaba (turtle), came to their rescue and supported the mountain on his shell.

Before taking the Kachaba form, he came here and prayed to Lord Shiva at this temple to give him the strength to withstand the hill on his shell, till the churning is complete. Lord Shiva blessed Lord Vishnu with the strength to withstand the weight of the hill. As Lord Vishnu worshipped Lord Shiva in the form of turtle, Lord Shiva came to be called as Kachabeswarar and the place came to be called as Kachabavoor. Later got corrupted to Kachur.

Irandheeswarar & Virundeeswarar:

As per legend, Saint Sundarar after visiting Thirukazhukundram came to Thirukachur during his pilgrimage in Thondai Nadu. Sundarar and his followers were extremely tired and hungry due to the long arduous journey. They decided to take rest for some time in the 16 pillared mandapam near the temple tank. The mandapam where Sundarar and his followers took rest can still be seen. Seeing their plight, Lord Shiva under the disguise of elderly brahmin man appeared before them and assured them of food.

Further, he advised them to wait for some time so that he could bring food to them. The elderly brahmin man wandered begging through the streets of Thirukachur for alms and gathered food, came back and fed Sundarar and his followers. Sundarar searched for the old man after he finished his food and he could not able to find him. He realized that the old man is none other than Lord Shiva himself. Sundarar rendered a pathigam with the line “Mudhu Vai Ori Kadhara” exclaiming his shock and grief that Lord Shiva took the form of a beggar in order to feed them.

As Lord Shiva wandered begging for alms for feeding Sundarar, he came to be called as Irandheeswarar (Irandhu means begging for alms in Tamil). There is a shrine for Irandheeswarar outside the temple at a short distance from the temple. As Lord Shiva fed the hungry Sundarar and his followers, he came to be called as Virundeeswarar (Virundhu means feast),  There is a shrine for Virundeeswarar at the northern prakaram of this temple.

Nadana Vinodha Nallur:

It is said that Thyagaraja (Utsava Idol) performs 18 forms of celestial dance called Amirtha Thandavam during Brahmotsavam. This dance was believed to have been performed by Lord Shiva as per the wish of Lord Vishnu, after the gods churned out the Amirtha from the Parkadal. Hence, this place came to be called as Nadana Vinodha Nallur (Nadana means dance in Tamil). This Temple is considered as one of the Ubhaya Vidanga Sthalams.

Aalakoil Udayar:

As per legend, Lord Shiva drank the poison for saving the world from destruction. The poison was held in his throat by the intervention of Parvathy. As he drank poison (Aalam means poison in Tamil), he came to be called as Aalakoil Udaiyar.

Aala Koil:

Sthala Vriksham of this temple is Kallala Maram (Banyan tree). Hence, the temple came to be called as Aala Koil (banyan tree temple).

Sanaka and Sanakadi worshipped Lord Shiva here:

It is said that sages Sanka and Sanakadi worshipped Lord Shiva of this temple.